Vineland man admits sexual assault of girl

BRIDGETON – A Vineland man admitted in court here on Friday to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl almost two years ago, an admission that was tied to a recent negotiated plea agreement that calls for dismissal of five other charges.

Joseph L. Bordley, 45, of the 3800 block of North Delsea Drive entered a guilty plea to second-degree sexual assault at a hearing in Cumberland County Superior Court. A county grand jury had indicted Bordley in January on six charges involving the minor victim.

Judge Cristen D’Arrigo scheduled sentencing for March 29. The recommended sentence is seven years in state prison, with a condition that Bordley serve at least 85 percent of that sentence to become eligible for parole.

The sexual assault took place in the period June 1, 2016, to Aug. 1, 2016, and force was used against the victim, according to testimony.

The defendant is represented by defense attorney Edward Diamond. County Assistant Prosecutor Leah Traub is representing the state.

The guilty plea was just the start of the court’s engagement on Friday with Bordley. Another hearing immediately ensued during which Bordley was sentenced to prison on an indictment and an accusation, both issued last year.

The judge recounted that Bordley had entered guilty pleas last October to second-degree sexual assault from the 2018 indictment and to one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child from the 2018 accusation. Those crimes involved two other minors, according to testimony that referred to them only by their initials.

On the 2018 sexual assault count, D’Arrigo sentenced Bordley to six years in prison with a condition he serve at least 85 percent of the term.

On the 2018 child endangerment count, the judge sentenced Bordley to a straight four years in prison.

D’Arrigo also ruled that both offenses qualify Bordley for registration under Megan’s Law and for lifetime parole supervision. The indictment and accusation both refer to the victims being minors, according to court records.

The three prison terms will run concurrently, as recommended in agreements between the defense and prosecution.

Reading the defendant’s criminal history, the judge noted seven previous indictable-level convictions in New Jersey as well as one felony conviction in Pennsylvania.

Court records show Bordley has been in jail pending trial since Nov. 13, 2017.

Joseph P. Smith; jpsmith_dj; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com

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Adam Monacelli, Vineland Daily Journal